. >> a major announcement from the pentagon. secretary leon panetta warned congress that hundreds of thousands of civilian workers could be furloughed and soon. >> if a series of automatic spending cuts hit next week. nikole killion has details. >> if these furloughs going to affect it would mean forced time off and less pay. at the pentagon a sobering announcement. >> we feel we do not have any choice but to impose furloughs. we would much prefer not to do it. >> officials laid out their plans to furlough 800,000 workers if automatic spending cuts known as sequestration go into effect march 1. >> the furloughs are enacted civilians were -- will experience a 20% decrease in their pay between late april and september. as a result, many families will be forced to make difficult decisions. >> in a letter to john boehner, leon panetta warned their deductions would put us on a pass to a hollow force. and john kerry said the fiscal impact threatens america's credibility. >> there is nothing in this current budget fight that requires u